External ignition device for internal-combustion engines



H. SCHLAICH.

EXTERNAL IGNITION DEVICE FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. I9. 1919- I Patented May v25, 1920.

3 nwwtoz flerman Schlaciz UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HERMAN SCHLAICI-I, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 25, 1920.

Application filed February 19, 1919. Serial No. 277,984.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, HERMAN SCHLAIGH, formerly a subject of the German Empire, but who have renounced all allegiance to said power and declared my intention of becoming a citizen of the United States, residing in Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and StateY of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in External Ignition Devices for Internal- Combustion Engines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention `relates to improvements in ignition devices for internal combustion engines; particularly ignition devices for use externally of the engine, and adapted to be employed in connection with the ignition system of same.

An object of my invention is to provide an ignition device which can be installed upon a vehicle driven by the engine, at small expense and without calling for extra equipment; which requires little or no attention to keep it in service; and which can be utilized whenever needed lwithout interfering with the running of the engine. In the op eration of a car or truck, one of the occupants may wish to smoke; or the driver may want to light the oil lamps, or he may need a torch to examine the car; particularly if an accident occurs in the night time. Under the circumstances matches are not satisfactory because they are easily blown out by the wind, and soon burn out in any case; and electric lamps, while very convenient, are not adapted for continuous illumination, and their batteries may prove to be exhausted just when the lamp is needed most. My invention enables one to enjoy a smoke, light the oil-lamps, or explore the car, without having to contend with any of the disadvantages to which I have just alluded. As described hereinafter, it includes a lamp vcomprising a vessel which can be lled with gasolene from the tank of the car, and a wick which can be ignited when desired and employed for all the purposes above mentioned. The torch can be kept in constant readiness and ignited whenever required merely by holding the protruding end of the wick in proximity to an outside spark gap, which is provided in association with one of the igniters of the engine, such as the jump spark plugs mount- 5 ed on the cylinders thereof.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will appear from the following description, taken with the accompanying drawings; and the novel features of my improvement will be precisely defined in the appended claims. This disclosure, however, is explanatory only, and shows merely one *or more embodiments of my invention; and I may of course change what is actually shown herein, to the full extent of the general meanings of the terms in which the claims are expressed.

On the drawings:-

Figure l is a side elevation of a construction employed in the practice of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a front view of same;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3 3 in Fig. 1, illustrating how my ignition device is applied to an internal combustion engine for a motor vehicle, the engine being seen from above the top;

Fig. l is a sectional view of a modification; and

Fig. 5 is a front view of this modification.

The same numerals identify the same parts throughout.

My invention is intended for use in combination with an internalI combustion engine indicated diagrammatically at 1, in Fig. 3. This engine in practice, be the power unit employed to propel a boat, a passenger automobile, a truck or any other motor vehicle; and my ignition device is of such design that it can be located within easy reach of the driver, as by mounting it on or near the dash-board of the vehicle; and utilized in connection with current supplied by the ignition system. T he engine l will have igniters 2, for the fuel therein; as many of these igniters being provided as the engine has cylinders. To operate these igniters, they are arranged to be connected to a suitable source of electricity,'indicated diagrammatically at 3, by suitable conduc ing means, such as wires or conductors, 4. One of these wires or conductors will be associated with means for attaining the ends of my invention in the shape of an external spark gap 5; and the others will extend .directly from the source 3 to the remaining igniters 2. In the form of my invention shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the spark gap 5 is in series with one of the igniters 2; and in another form, shown in Figs. 4l; and 5, this gap will be parallel with one of the igniters 2. At 6, I show a torch comprising a cylindrical body or container having a closed bottom,- and adapted to receive alcohol, gasolene, or some other combustible substance. Inside this tube is a wick 7, which will project through a hole in a removable cap or closure 8 at one end of the container; the opposite end being permanently closed and constituting the bottom of the container. Obviously when a spark is passing through gap 5, one has only to hold the torch in proximity to this gap to light the wick or inflammable element 7.

As illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the conducting means between the source 3 and that one of igniters 2 associated with the gap 5, instead of being a single wire, com-- prises two wires, one ot which leads from the source 3 to a lixed conductor member 9; and the other of which leads from a similar opposing iixed conductor member 9 to said igniter 2. These fixed conductor members 9 are spaced slightly apart and thus provide the spark gap in question. They are close enough to enable the current to jump between them without interfering with the regular operation oi this igniter, which is thus connected in series therewith; and they are held in place by securing them to a body of insulation 10. This insulation is preferably a porcelain ring having a central opening, surrounded by a boss 11, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The above mentioned wires which connect the members 9 to the source 3 and to the igniter referred to are indicated by the numerals 12 and 13. Normally the gap between the members 9, is kept closed by a movable conductor disposed in contact with one of the members 9, and engaged by a spring or some other suitable means to torce a projecting part into contact with the other member 9, and thus bridge or close the gap 5. This movable conductor member is preterably a pin 11, having one end mounted in an opening in one of the iixed members 9, and capable of sliding in that opening; and having its opposite end slidably supported in a bearing provided by an aperture in the bent end of a metallic strip 15, secured to the insulation 10 and located inside the boss 11. (See Fig. Between this bearing and the member 9 engaging the pin, the latter has a laterally projecting arm 16 to make contact with the other member 9; and between the bearing in the end of the strip 1o and the arm 1G, the pin is encircled by a coiled spring 17, which forces the arm 15 into contact with said other conductor member 9, which is opposed to the contact member 9 wherewith the pin 1 slidably engages. This spring 17 can easily be compressed, and when one wishes to utilize the torch all he has to do is totake hold of the container and press the wick 7 against the pin, which terminates beyond the member 9 perforated to receive it, in a head 1S. In consequence, the movable member will be forced back by the pressure ot the wick upon the head 18 until the arm 1G is out ot contact with the member 9 against which it normally abuts; and the movable conductor member is thus impelled out ot bridging position. Under the circumstances, with the engine in operation and the source 3 developing current, a spark will et course jump between the members 9, and the wick 7 take fire.

My ignition device is made up in such a manner that it can be conveniently mounted on the dasn-board of the vehicle, or on the instrument board above the dash-board; and ior this purpose it comprehends a, plate which is preferably a stamped piece oi" metal corresponding in shape to the ring 10, and suitably finished, as shown at 19. At one end it will have a clip 20, and at its other end a similar clip 21, designed to engage the ends of the torch and hold same in place. lVhen this plate is in position, the clip 2() will be at the top. This clip will be d ished on its lower face to make it lit over the closure S of the torch 6, and. cover the proj ecting end ot the wick 7, whereby the evaporation of the gasolene or other contents of the torch will be prevented. The opposite clip 21 will be provided with a rib affording a kind of a socket, open at the front, into which the bottom or opposite end of the torch G can be slipped; and as these clips will be resilient, the torch will be griiped securely between them, but will not be ield too tight to interfere with its remo f'al when the torch must be disengaged. These clips may be made separate, and attached to the plate 19, or they may be made integral with the same, and be bent out therefrom. The ring l() will tit against one tace ot this so as to be between it and the torch, when mounted in the slips, and the plate will have a central opening to allow the boss 11 to extend through it. This plate may be fastened to the instrument board by screws or other securing devices, passing through holes ad- `jacent, the clips and the edge of' the ring 10 may be notched or recessed in registry with these holes, ii necessary, so as not to obstruct the screws.

I prefer to cover the insulation 10 to a certain extent with a round screen of wire gauze 22. This gauze has a central opening, and carries a ring rimming this opening shown at 23. The insulation 10 has an annular shoulder Q4 on its forward tace, to be engaged by a flat ring 25, which overlaps the edge of the gauze; and is fastened to the insulation 10 by screws to hold the gauze in place. The gauze is not flat, but bellies out away from the insulation 10, and the central opening is in line with the pin 14.- It protects the members 9 and pin 14., yet permits the torch to enter it far enough for the wick to press back the pin; and allow plate,

free circulation of air through the porcelain ring 10.

From the above description it will be seen that my ignition device is very simple and can be mounted on any type of vehicle now ,in use without requiring any additional apparatus or equipment except a few inches more of wire. The torch 6, can be kept full of gasoline from the supply tank of the vehicle, and should the driver or one of the inmates wish to smoke a cigar, for example, he can ignite the torch in an instant and put it to the use required. The torch can be utilized also, yfor illumination purposes, xand is very handy on trucks and other vehicles in case of accident on dark roads or wherever light cannot readily be procured. No interference with the ignitor 2 or the engine 1 results.

The porcelain ring 10 also carries two binding posts 26 in the boss 11. Each comprises a screw or bolt clamping one member 9 to the ring 10, and carrying a nut at the o-pposite end of the boss. By these nuts, the conductors 12 and 13 are made fast to the posts. One of the bolts also secures the strip 15, which has its end remote from that providing a bearing for the pin 14, bent over under the adjacent member 9 and perforated as required. As held by the binding posts the members 9 extend crosswise of the bore in the boss 11, from opposite sides of the latter.

In the form shown in Figs. 4l and 5, a panel 27 can be secured as before to the clash-board or instrument board and the torch held in position by clips 2O and 21. A conductor l leading from the source 3 to one of the igniters 2, is joined in parallel to a conductor 28, which has its opposite extremity leading to insulation 29, in the panel 27. This insulation 29 is mounted in a central opening in the panel, and has a peripheral flange 30 to engage the back face of the panel around the edge of said opening. A ring 31'encircles the insulation, and abuts the flange, and screws secure this ring to the panel whereby it grips the flange and'holds the insulation in place. The insulation has a central conductor 32, against the end of which, back of the panel, the conductor 28 is pressed. A hollow threaded nut 33 on the insulation 29, en circles the conductor and engages a collar at the end of theinsulation incasing same. When turned up the nut draws the conductor 28, which may consist of a bundle of fine wires, into efficient contact with the central conductor 32, which may be expanded or have a head to provide sufficient surface. The central conductor 32, projects through the insulation 29 and the panel 27, and the panel carries a movable conductor member 33 normally too far away to enable a spark to jump from the conductor 32 thereto. To make use of this construction the operator takes hold of the torch and pushes the member 33 into sparking distance of the conductor 32. For this purpose the member 33 will be arranged to slide on the panel 27, and be provided with a projecting pin 311 and a headed rivet 35 to engage a slot 36 in the panel. The torch being preferably of hard rubber, can be employed to force the member 33 toward the conductor 32 without danger or risk. When this form is utilized, the ignition in one cylinder is temporarily suspended but as the torch can be ignited in an instant the use of the torch does not materially interfere with the operation of 'the engine.

The conductor 28 can be simply connected to the central stem of one spark plug` along withl the conductor a leading thereto. A spring 37 is disposed back of the panel to connect the pin 34, which extends through the panel, to a fixed point thereon and hold the member '33 in retracted position away from the conductor 32. In front of the panel the member 33 has a projection '138, to enable the torch to push it toward the conductor 32, against the force of the spring 37.

ln practice of course the source of electricity 3 will be connected to the igniters 2 in succession through a suitable distributer, not shown in the drawings. My 1nvention may be used on either a magneto ignition system or a battery ignition system, and is especially adapted to be installed and operated in connection with automobiles and trucks having ignition systems of the high tension type. l might also use it on low tension ignition systems but in that case of course I could not get a jump spark at the gap 5 but would have to utilize an ordinary break spark instead.

Since the torch can be filled with gasolene, my invention can be kept in continuous readiness for service because the driver of the car, who has to see that the gasolene tank is never empty, can always fill the container simply by unscrewing the closure 3 and4 holding` the container under the drain cock of the carbureter, or by proceeding in other feasible ways if he likes. Some other hydrocarbon, such as alcohol, kerosene, etc., may,y of course be utilized instead of gasolene. The flame given by the torch will be clear and steady; is not apt to be blown out by the wind, and will burn as long as the torch is needed.

The utility and merit of my invention will be appreciated in view of the fact that my invention as set forth herein, becomes part of the car and one of the accessories of the engine thereof, to give an external ignition effect; and so long as the engine remains in ruiming condition, a flame can be had in an instant even if no one in the car has any matches, and no electric lamp is available.

do not always need a torch comprising a vessel for an inflammable liquid; as I may often use a piece of wicking not saturated in gast-lena or the like, to be ignited by a spark at the gap 5.

he modification shown-Figs. 4 and 5 may also be mounted on the dashboard by screws or bolts projecting through holes that may be provided in the panel 27. The clips 2l and 22 may either be integral with this panel or separate, and fastened thereto by soldering, riveting or in any other suitable way.

s indicated in Fig. i, the panel may be mounted on a backplate S8, having an aperture to give passage to the insulation 29, and be secured to the backplate by any convenient fastening devices. This backplate has al'lixed thereto a bracket 39 with a clamping screw 40. By this bracket the device can be made to engage the lower edge et the instrument board in front oi the dashboard of the vehicle. This modification can also be mounted on the dashboard by omitting the backplate and perforating the panel for screws; likewise the backplate can be employed on the device shown in Figs. l, 2 and 3 to mount it on the instrument board if desired. On a boat, the device can be located at any point where it can be properly supported.

Having described my invention, what I believe to be new and desire to secure and protect by Letters Patent of the United States, is

l. The combination of an internal cembustion engine, an ignitcr for the fuel therein, means for conducting electric current to said igniter, means associated with said conducting means for producing ignition effects externally of said engine, and a removable torch comprising an inflammable element to be ignited by said means.

2. rIhe combination of an internal combustion engine, an igniter for the fuel therein, means for conducting electric current to said ignite'r, means in series with said igniter for producing ignition effects externally of said engine, and a removable torch comprising an inflammable element to be ignited by said last named means.

3. The combination et an internal coinbustion engine, an igniter for the fuel therein, a conductor for carrying electric current to said igniter, means for producing ignition efl'ects externally of said engine, said lastnamed means including a movable conductor member, and a torch to be ignited by said means, and having an inflammable element to be caused to actuate said member.

t. The combination of an internal combustion engine, an igniter for the 'fuel therein, a conductor for carrying electric current to said igniter, means in series with said igniter for producing ignition effects externally of said engine, said last-named means including' a movable conductor meinber, and a torch having an inflammable element to be caused to actuate said member.

5. rllie combination of a plate, a body of insulation havin@r a hollow boss projecting through same, clips on said plate to retain a torch, a pair of opposed fixed conductor members supported on said insulation, a movable conductor member supported by said insulation, and means for causing said movable member to bridge said fixed members, said torch having an inflammable element to lbe caused to engage said movable member and force it out of bridging position, leaving a spark gap between said fixed members.

6. rlhe combination of a plate, insulation carried thereby, clips on the plate to retain torch, a pair of opposed fixed conductor members mounted on said insulation, a movable conductor member carried by said insulation, and means for causing said movable member to bridge the fixed members, said torch having an inflammable element to be caused to engage said movable member and force it out of bridging position, leaving a spark gap between said fixed conductor members.

'i'. The combination of a plate, a ring of insulation having' a central hollow boss projecting through an opening in said plate, a pair of opposed iixcd conductor members on said insulation extending ci'osswise of the bore of said boss and separated from each other by a spark gap, a movable conductor in said bore, a spring for causing said movable conductor to bridge said gap, clips on the plate, a screen for said members between said clips, said screen having an opening and a torch to be engaged by said clips, said torch being adapted to force the movable member out oi bridging position and. to be igiiited at said spark gap.

in testimony whereof I have signed my naine to this specification this ist day of.

February, 1919.

HERMAN SCHLAICH. 

